Benjamin L. Bowen's :
The Exploits of Waul's Texas Legion Table of Contents.
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The exploits of Waul's Texas Legion
1863
JACKSON, January 1, 1863.
General W. W. LORING, Grenada:
Direct all of the Texas regiments of cavalry to march at once to Snyder's Mill, on the Yazoo River. Let the movement be as rapid as possible.
J. R. WADDY,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
JACKSON, MISS., January 1, 1863.
Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON, Vicksburg:
General Van Dorn received your dispatch yesterday. He thinks cavalry could not operate at the place you name. You have been three times asked by telegraph if infantry from Grenada would not be better. General Van Dorn says it could get there much sooner. no reply has been received. Please answer.
J. E. JOHNSON,
General.
VICKSBURG, January 1, 1863.
General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON, Jackson:
I considered it necessary to understand your telegram in cipher before answering. Your last did not reach me until 10 p. m. If enemy reaches the hills he cuts off Snyder's Mill. The only force which could operate against his flanks or rear would be mounted Texans, armed and fighting as infantry and cavalry. I have only Wirt Adams' regiment here. i am endeavoring to provide against what I expect-an army vastly outnumbering mine. Unless circumstances compel I do not wish to withdraw more infantry from Grenada. These are my views. With the Texas cavalry I can do. Forrest, Roddey's, and remainder at Grenada I think sufficient for movements north. I am prepared to direct them, with my respecters, at once.
J. C. PEMBERTON,
Lieutenant-General, Commanding.
JACKSON, MISS., January 1, 1863.
Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON, Vicksburg:
The Texas cavalry is ordered. Forrest and Roddey are not in this department. They bayou to General Bragg'
s. I am trying to find them
J. E. JOHNSTON,
GENERAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DEPT. OF Miss. AND EAST LA.,
No. 5 [21]. Grenada, January 2, 1863
Hereafter the organization of the army, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana. will be as follows, viz:
The army will consist of two divisions, to be known as First and Second Divisions, and commanded ,respectively, by Maj. Gen. W. W. Loring and Maj. Gen. Sterling Price. Each division will consist of two brigades.
First Division comprises Tilghman's brigade, Rust's brigade, and Waul's Texas Legion, Colonel Waul commanding.
General Tilghman will take command of the brigade hitherto under command of Brigadier-General Baldwin.
The command hitherto known as Rust's division is merged into one brigade, to be known as Rust's brigade.
Second Division comprises Bowen's brigade and Green's brigade.
The command hitherto known as Bowen's division is resolved into two brigades, Brigadier-General Bowen taking command of one, Brigadier-General Green having command of the other.The light batteries will remain as at present organized, with the ex-ception of being attached to division in place of corps.* * * * * * *
By order of Lieutenant-General Pemberton:
R. W. MEMMJNGER,
Assistant-Adjutant-General.
JACKSON, MISS., January 2, 1863.
Major-General LORING, Grenada:
Recall the cavalry, if you can, and order all cavalry to get ready to march. The enemy has re-embarked in the Yazoo near Vicksburg.
J. E. JOHNSON,
General.
VICKSBURG, January 2, 1863.
General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON, Jackson:
The pikes and revolvers on special service not for Vicksburg. If permitted I shall immediately direct a strong cavalry force movement toward and in rear of mouth of Coldwater; shall inclosure Texas cavalry Information just received indicates re-embarkation of enemy from my front. Shall, however, wait certainty of such movement.
J. C. PEMBERTON,
Lieutenant General, Commanding.
JACKSON, MISS., January 2, 1863.
Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON, Vicksburg:
Make the cavalry movement. W. H. Jackson is brigadier-general. I telegraphed by Major-General Loring to get the troops in readiness and desire Major Waddy to turn back the Texans.
J. E. JOHNSTON,
General.
VICKSBURG, January 2, 1863.
General JOSEPH E. JOHNSON, Jackson:
Before receiving your letters I had countermanded orders to Texas cavalry; also directed Lieutenant-Colonel Waddy not to send forward any more troops until further orders. A brigade at lest should go, I think, to Port Hudson; if you prefer, one Stevenson's from Jackson; also a good field battery with rifle guns in it. The fleet may bombard us to-morrow, but if all is quiet I shell probably go to Jackson.
J. C. PEMBERTON.
JACKSON, MISS., January 2, 1863.
Major-General VAN DORN Mobile:
General Pemberton telegraphs that the enemy is re-embarking. It will be necessary to make another cavalry dash. Come in time to over take him.
J. E. JOHNSTON,
Lieutenant-General, Commanding
VICKSBURG, January 2, 1863.
Major-General LORING, Grenada:
Countermand the order for movement of Texas cavalry. The enemy has re-embarked and gone down the Yazoo, leaving quantity of entrenching tools and other property.
J. C. PEMBERTON,
Lieutenant-General, Commanding.
JACKSON, MISS., January 2, 1863.
Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON, Vicksburg:
In directing the cavalry movement we must consider that Grant is on the Central road. I have directed the scouted the scouts on the river to be on the alert. I shall stop the troops which come from the east until I hear from you. Can the enemy intend another attempt to approach Vicksburg?
J. E. JOHNSTON,
General
JACKSON, January 5, 1863.
major-General LORING, Grenada, Miss.:
Return of enemy's force from mount of Coldwater the movement of cavalry heretofore orders unnecessary. You will direct Brigadier-General Jackson to follow up the rear of the enemy immediately, harass him in his retreat, and cut off his wagon train and supplies as far as possible.
By ordered of Lieutenant-General Pemberton:
J. THOMPSON,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
JACKSON, MISS., January 11, 1863
Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON, Port Hudson:
I want to combine a cavalry expedition in the two departments Please assign General Van Dorn to the same cavalry, with instructions to report to me.
J. E. JOHNSTON,
General.
SPECIAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, Numbers 3. Grenada, January 16, 1863.
The following named commands of cavalry are detailed for duty with the Army of the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana, and will at once report to the commanding officer of that army, viz: Jackson's (Tennessee) cavalry, Second Regiment Arkansas Cavalry, Willis' battalion cavalry, Wilbourn's cavalry, Falkner's cavalry, and two companies of Second Missouri Cavalry, now serving in Second Corps. All the cavalry serving in this corps report without delay to Brigadier General W. H. Jackson at Grenada, Miss.
By order of General Van Dorn:
M. M. KIMMEL,
Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.
JACKSON, MISS., January 17, 1863.
General W. W. LORING,
Commanding, &c., Grenada:
Send the Texas bridge to La Fayette, if the horses are shod; if not, send another brigade of cavalry under the general control of General Jackson. The brigade will scour the country of La Fayette by company or squadron as circumstances may require; this on the supposition that the reports are correct and not exaggerated. Occupy Coffeeville with an infantry brigade and one of the lightest field batteries you have. Let them take a full supply of axes. The cavalry will held itself in readiness to join Van Dorn when he moves. The infantry brigade will remain at Coffeeville while you are collecting supplies to send to the rear.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. R. WADDY,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
JACKSON, MISS., January 18, 1863.
major-General LORING, Grenada, Miss.:
Send cavalry to La Fayette Country as you first intended, unless later information renders it in you opinion unnecessary. Send infantry brigade as heretofore directed.
J. C. PEMBERTON,
Lieutenant-General, Commanding.
GRENADA, January 24,1863.Maj. J. H. WADDY:
First Division, commanded by [W. W.] Loring, consists of [A.] Rust's and [L.] Tilghman's brigades and [T. N.] Waul's Legion.
Second Division, commanded by [S.] Price, consists of [J. S.] Bowen's and [M. E.] Green's. Cavalry commanded by Colonel [R.] McCulloch.W. W. LORING
CAMP PEMBERTON, Yazoo River, February 21,1863.
Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON, Commanding, &c.:
GENERAL: Upon my arrival here today, I found that Major [M.] Merriwether had, in accordance with my instructions, acted promptly in his selection of a place where we may be enabled to construct suitable works for the defense of this river. He has chosen this point (Beck's Ferry), and vigorously commenced the erection of works which I trust, when completed, will do much toward preventing the passage down of the enemy. The location is 2 1/2 miles by land and about 4 by water below Greenwood. The banks are some 8 feet above water, and the guns will be mounted upon works constructed of earth and cotton bales, so as to place them at an altitude that insures a plunging fire upon the enemy's boat. The Tallahatchee and the Yazoo Rivers are only about 500 yards apart here, and the works commanding each will be connected by suitable lines of entrenchment's. Colonel [T. N.] Waul with his troops is encamped here. He is judicious in his arrangements, and I would recommend that he be kept in command of this position.
The river here will also be obstructed with rafts, if it can be done before the enemy approach. This is highly probable, as there is not the least apparent prospect of their speedy descent, and no present indication of a further rise in the river. It; however, the obstruction by rafts cannot be completed in time, I shall use the C. S. S. Star of the West, as stated in my last dispatch, and, if necessary, sink her athwart the channel.
I would remove the two pieces sent by you to Yazoo City, but do not think it best to do so unless others could be sent there. That position, naturally strong, should be kept in a condition of defense in the event we should be compelled to abandon the works up the river.
I have given orders that those boats now being used for the transportation of supplies on the Tallahatchee and Yalabusha livers for Grenada, and on the Yazoo for Vicksburg, shall not be interfered with, and to this end the rafts which I have spoken of will not be placed in position to obstruct the streams until the enemy's approach renders it absolutely necessary to do so. Those boats not in use for this purpose are now being encircled with cotton bales, under the direction of Captain [I. N.] Brown, who will command them, and assist our works by boarding the enemy if he should attempt a descent of the river.
I have issued an order to Colonel [B.] McCulloch to hold his cavalry in readiness to march in the direction of the Coldwater, if a practicable road can be discovered.
Colonel Waul has established a line of couriers between this point and Vaideri, on the Central Railroad, through which channel communication with headquarters may be conveniently held.
I enclose you a rough sketch of the position here. That portion in ink will represent the works that are being constructed. Colonel Waul will send you a more accurate sketch of the river and works as soon as the engineer can prepare it for you.
Will go up the Tallahatchie tomorrow in the direction of the Coldwater, with the view of finding some other suitable points for the erection of works or obstruction of the streams, proceeding up the Coldwater toward the Yazoo Pass. My progress up the latter, however, will depend entirely upon the information I may be enabled to obtain respecting the strength of the enemy.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. W. LORING.
March 11 1863
Abstracted from a report written at Headquarters Fort Pemberton near Greenwood Mississippi on March 22, 1863 concerning actions on the Yazoo and Tallahatchee rivers February-March1863
.... At 4 o'clock in the afternoon the fight was resumed by another gunboat, which we supposed was to be the iron-clad De Kalb. After two hours hard fighting, the boat withdrew. During the day, Colonel [ T.N. ] Waul, commanding post, sent out a detachment of his Legion as skirmishers, who engaged a large body of the enemy's infantry and cavalry and drove them back to their transports.......
... While I am thankful for the perfectly successful result of our labors here,I wish to express my obligations to Col. T.N.Waul, Texas Legion, for his energy,promptness,and good judgement in the discharge of his duty with his Legion in the fortifications during the engagements. I was greatly indebted to him for the assistance he rendered on so many occassions, and which he contributed to our frequent successes.....
[ signed ]
W.W. Loring
Major General Commanding
(Cornell University )
Report of General Joseph F. Johnston, C. S. Army, of operations March12-July 20 1863 To President Davis.
WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A.,
....On the 7th, indications rendered it probable that the enemy would make a raid on Jackson. The staff departments, therefore, and all valu-able stores, were ordered to be removed east.In the mean time my troops were so disposed as to occupy the War-renton and Hall's Ferry road, which afforded great facilities for concen-tration, and various positions on the Baldwin's Ferry road, amid from thence between Bovina and Edwards Depot, each division being in good supporting distance of the other. Colonel [T. N.] Waul, commanding Fort Pemberton, was directed to leave a garrison of 300 men at that place, and proceed with the remnainder of his force to Snyder's Mill.On the 10th.....
HEADQUARTERS, Fort Pemberton, April 27, 1863.
Lieutenant General J. C. PEMBERTON, Jackson, MISS.:
GENERAL: Very little cotton has been removed from the parapet since the retreat of the enemy. The laborers have been engaged in clearing the timber in front and adding strength to the fortifications. The left flank of the fort is nearly completed and the work well done. Most of the cotton used on the parapet of the left flank having been covered with earth and embedded in mud, had rotted, and was useless for any purpose outside of the fort. Wherever cotton forms the crest or either slope of the parapet, and is exposed to the air and sun, or but slightly covered, it has been and will be removed, and the vacancy filled with earth. There is a quantity of cotton in this situation on the right wing of the fort, and is not more liable to injury than if removed. Prudence dictates that it remains where it is, as it forms an excellent revetment and banquette step; it shall be removed by degrees as the new revetment and banquette is formed. From the number of general officers here without sufficient command, I was properly relieved from my position as commander of the fort and garrison directly after the last retreat of the enemy, and was only reinstated when General Featherston left, who is now in Grenada, but still commanding here, as he informs me, and, his instructions being definite, I have not felt at liberty to depart from them to make any changes in the work as projected, or in the disposition of the troops, unless by orders from General Loring or you.
The river has fallen up to this time about 5 feet, the daily decrease about 3 to 3 1/2 inches. In my opinion, the fort should not be dismantled for at least two weeks without there is a pressing necessity for the guns elsewhere, for should the defenseless condition of the place come to the ears of the enemy, it might induce another attack, and give you much trouble. In a fortnight the accelerated fall of water, the and the disposition they will make of their forces, would render a diversion in this direction very improbable and altogether impracticable. I would respectfully suggest that the raft across the Yazoo River at Greenwood be opened at once, so that communication may be had with Grenada by steamboat. The Yalabusha River, having its source in the interior of the State, frequently from the spring rains affords navigation for small steamboats, while the lower Tallahatchee and the Yazoo, influenced principally by the Mississippi River, are not affected by it.
Permit me also to suggest that so soon as it can be done safely, the raft on the Tallahatchee be partially removed so as to permit a small steamer to make a reconnaissance up that river and the Coldwater. Although mu opinion is that convenience of access below for the transportation of troops and supplies, the difficulty of approach from above in low water, and its natural strength when the river is up will approve the section of Fort Pemberton as a permanent fortification, yet places might be found that would delay, or at least very much annoy, the enemy.
The work of one hundred hands, at low water, in less than a month would place such an amount of timber in the Yazoo Pass as to render it insurmountable, or if no such wood is known in the labyrinthine mazes of the delta between the Yazoo and Mississippi, it would require so much toil, labor, and ingenuity, that abundance of time would be afforded to construct stronger rafts, mount an armament, and man the walls of Fort Pemberton so as to make it impregnable. Six torpedoes
are said to be planted in the river, and should be removed. I do not know their locality. Mr. Burton planted four of them so deep that I presume the enemy's boats passed over them. As the water falls, they may come within the reach of the keel of some friendly navigator. He should be sent to raise them. Two were planted a short distance above Weldon, and one whose name I do not know, is acquainted with their locality, and one of them should be sent to remove them.
There are now at the fortification 150 negroes, and, although the number is small, the crops are so backward here that many of them would be very serviceable in preparing corn crops, and there is little else planted on the river. August, September, and October will be comparatively idle months in the absence of cotton-picking. A call of hands could be then make, who would speedily place Fort Pemberton in a position to establish permanently the reputation it has so far been able to sustain. I would, therefore, recommend that all the negroes that can be spared from present emergencies should be permitted to return home, and that at an early day all should be released, at least until the crops will less by their absence.
With apologies for intruding so long a letter on your valuable time, I am, respectfully,
T. N. WAUL
Colonel, Commanding Fort Pemberton.
Vicksburg, May 4, 1863.
Lieutenant Colonel T. N. WAUL,
Comdg. Fort Pemberton, via Grenada:
Leave 300 of your troops under a reliable officer at Fort Pemberton, and come at once down the river to Snyder's Mill with the remainder of your command. Your cavalry must also be brought down to Vicksburg. Telegram has been sent to Yazoo City to send you a boat, in case you have none, immediately.
J. C PEMBERTON.
Vicksburg, May 10, 1863.
Major General C. L. STEVENSON,
Commanding, &c.:
GENERAL: The lieutenant-general commanding directs that you assume command at once of all of the troops along your line, including Brigadier-General Moore's brigade, Colonel Waul's Legion, and the Mississippi State troops which are temporarily attached to your command. He also directs that you place two long-range guns, or more, if you deem best, on the hills on which Major Lockett, chief engineer, has been ordered to throw up intrenchments,
I am, general, very respectfully, &c.,
F. M. STAFFORD,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
BOVINA, May 13, 1863.
Major-General FORNEY, Vicksburg:
GENERAL: Your communication of to-day received. The lieutenant-general commanding directs that you arrange to be able to concentrate all your troops, if necessary, within the defenses of Vicksburg, and that without the loss of any artillery. Any material for the pontoon bridges that can be had from the boats here will be sent to you. Get what you can from Snyder's Mill.
The following telegram sent you to-day:
The approaches from Hankinson's Ferry and Warrenton are guarded by Moore's brigade; from Hall's Ferry by Baldwin's Ferry by Tilghman's; and Waul's Legion is in reserve at some point, of which I will further inform you.
J. C. PEMBERTON.
BOVINA, May 14, 1863.
General JOSEPH E. Johnston, Jackson:
I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your communication. I move at once with whole available force, about 16,000, from Edwards Depot, leaving Vaughn's brigade, about 1,500, at Big Black Bridge. Tilghman's brigade, 1,500, now at Baldwin's Ferry, I have ordered to bring up the rear of my column. He will be, however, from 15 to 20 miles behind it. Baldwin's Ferry, I have ordered to bring up the rear of my column. He will be, however, from 15 to 20 miles behind it. Baldwin's Ferry will be left necessarily unprotected. To hold Vicksburg are Smith's and Forney's DIVISIONS, extending from Snyder's Mill to Warrenton, numbering, effective, 7,500 men. To this should have been added Waul's Legion, the Mississippi State troops, and Higgins'. The men have been marching several days, are much fatigued, and, I fear, will straggle very much. In directing this move, I do not think you fully comprehend the position that Vicksburg will be left in, but I comply at once with your order.
J. C. PEMBERTON.
EDWARDS DEPOT, May 14, 1863.
Major-General FORNEY, Vicksburg:
You will place Waul's Legion in position for the protection of Baldwin's Ferry road as soon as possible.
J. C. PEMBERTON.
EDWARDS DEPOT, May 14, 1863.
Major General John H. FORNEY, Vicksburg:
Re-enforce Baldwin's Ferry with Baldwin's brigade, and, if necessary, with Waul's Legion also.
J. C. PEMBERTON.
HDQRS. DEPT. MISS. AND E. La., Edwards Depot, May 14, 1863.
The lieutenant-general commanding directs that you send at once to this point 76,000 rations, exclusive of soap, candles, &c. Also, that you be on the alert in the direction of Baldwin's Ferry. He has just learned from a Federal prisoner, a commissioned officer, that Smith's DIVISION is at Baldwin's Ferry, and they are still re-enforcing. You will re-enforce that line with Baldwin's brigade, and, if necessary, also with Waul's Legion.
I am, general, very respectfully, &c.,
H. C. TUPPER,
Aide-de-Camp.
HDQRS. DEPT. MISS. AND E. La., Vicksburg, May 19, 1863.
Major General MARTIN L. SMITH,
Commanding,&c., Vicksburg:
The lieutenant-general commanding directs me to say to you that there is a probability of a heavy assault on your left to-morrow morning, and that you be prepared for it. He has given Generals Bowen and Stevenson and Colonel Waul instructions concerning sending re-enforcements to you in case it is necessary.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. M. STAFFORD,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS, May 19, 1863.
Major MEMMINGER,
Assistant Adjutant-GENERAL:
In anticipation of an assault on my left in the morning, I have to request that a portion of Waul's Legion, or the whole of it, if it can be spared, be placed near Fort Hill at daylight. Should the necessity for them arise, there will be no time to send for them.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
M. L. SMITH.
HDQRS. DEPT. OF Mississippi AND EASTERN LOUISIANA, Vicksburg, May 20, 1863.
Major-General FORNEY,
Commanding, &c.:
GENERAL: I am directed by the lieutenant-general commanding to order you to move Waul's Legion at once to a position immediately on General Smith's right, to support him in case of an overwhelming assault. General Smith has been ordered not to place them in the trenches unless absolutely necessary. You can strengthen the position from which the Legion is moved from other points, if necessary.
Respectfully,
J. H. MORRISON,
Vicksburg, May 20, 1863.
Major General MARTIN L. SMITH, Commanding, &c.:
GENERAL: I am directed by the lieutenant-general commanding to say that it is by no means certain that the attack will be made on you. It may be on either Stevenson or Forney. Waul's Legion has been directed to be placed on your right, but it must not be placed in the trenches unless absolutely necessary to repel an overwhelming assault.
This order is positive.
I am, general, very respectfully,
J. H. MORRISON,
Aide-de-Camp.
HDQRS. DEPT. MISS. AND E. La., Vicksburg, May 21, 1863.
Major General C. L. STEVENSON, Commanding, &c., Right:
GENERAL: The lieutenant general says that Colonel [T. N.] Waul's command was ordered to you for the protection of your river front, and that it will not be permanently diverted, unless it is replaced by other of your troops for that purpose.
Very respectfully, &c.,
J. C. TAYLOR,
Aide-de-camp.
HEADQUARTERS LEE'S BRIGADE,
May 22, 1863.General STEVENSON.
GENERAL: I send you the flag taken by Texans,(Waul's legion) under the lead of our gallant Lieutenant-Colonel [E. W.] Pettus, Twentieth Alabama Regiment.
It was as gallant an act as 1 have ever seen during the war. I have pledged myself to give it to its captors. I beg that you and General Pemberton will bear me out. I send this by the gallant Lieutenant Martin, who has been wounded.Your obedient servant,
STEPHEN D. LEE,
Brigadier- Genera1.[Indorsement. ]
Respectfully forwarded, with the request that you will permit the colors to be retained by the captors.
C. L. STEVENSON,
Major-General, Commanding.
May 23, 1863.
Major MEMMINGER, Assistant Adjutant-GENERAL:
MAJOR: I believe we are issuing to more man that we have. Will you please order that all returns shall be verified by the colones, and that an accurate report of the number of men present be sent to the chief commissary of subsistence? Colonel Waul returns for 938, 40 of whom are citizens employed in the quartermaster's department. These men could render better service in the trenches.
I respectfully suggest that all men, unless excused for disability by the surgeon or by competent authority, be ordered to duty in the trenches, and that all stragglers or absentees from that duty shall be placed in the chain-gang, to work on the fortifications.
Respectfully,
C. L. STEVENSON.
HDQRS. SECOND Brigadier, STEVENSON'S DIV., May 24, 1863.
[JOHN J. REEVE:]
MAJOR: I have just returned from the right of my line. The enemy are gradually getting nearer, ditching. I have directed the sharpshooting of my men there to be increased, having one sharpshooter every 8 or 9 yards in the rifle- pits, to fire whenever they see anything to shoot at. I hope this is not violating the spirit of General Pemberton's order about firing, for I consider it absolutely necessary to impede the progress of the enemy's work as much as possible, particularly as they are there within 200 yards of my pits. I consider this necessary not only to impede them, but I do not like to see the enemy working within such short distance of our men without an effort to stop them. Please submit this point, and if I have violated instructions, I ask for specific directions. Our not firing certainly emboldens the enemy. The enemy are evidently in force, gradually approaching nearer to me; their pits and roadway are visible nearly along my whole front, most of them being on the other side of the ravine. The firing of the enemy is relatively the same as yesterday, except this morning, when the bombardment was quite heavy. I submit to the general the point whether it would not be better to commence at once to thicken the earth on the redan and redoubt on the interior, to render them more secure against their artillery, as at present they are by no means proof against it. I have had pits sunk in all of them to render the men more secure. Many of the enemy's wounded are still in my front, and seem to be suffering very much. I will endeavor to-night to collect all the ammunition in the boxes in my front, and would suggest that the same course be pursed all along the line; as quite a large amount of ammunition was obtained in this manner last night. The guns are all beautiful Enfields. Quite a number of arms could be collected all along the line to arm men who require them.
Yours, respectfully,
STEPHEN D. LEE.
Vicksburg, May 24, 1863.
Major-General C. L. STEVENSON, commanding, &c.:
GENERAL: In reply to communication of General Lee, I am directed by the lieutenant-general commanding to say that the sharpshooting referred to is not in opposition to the spirit of his order, but meets his views on the subject. Sharpshooting is necessary, but not skirmishing. It is the greatest importance that the redan be strengthened. It is thought that the best method of accomplishing this object will be by laying railroad iron, particularly in front of the guns. The iron you can procure, if necessary, by tearing up the railway. Any point of your line which you may deem to be weak you can proceed immediately to strengthen by any means in your power.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. W. MEMMINGER,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
Vicksburg, May 26, 1863.
Major General C. L. STEVENSON, Commanding, &c.:
GENERAL: I am directed by the lieutenant-general commanding to say to you, in reply to your communication just received, that the information contained comes from you at rather a late hour, and that he was informed by you on several occasions that the position was a strong one, and you thought you hold it. He has hoper that the evils mentioned would have been remedied, as you have occupied your present position over a week. On intimation from you, Colonel Waul's Texas Legion was sent you for the express purpose of guarding the river front. The piece promised was not a howitzer, but a 24-pounder siege gun, and was promised to sent as soon as repaired. It will be sent the first moment possible. General Smith has been directed to send two of his best Louisiana regiments, two 12-pounder howitzers to assist you in the protection of the river front. General Bowen's command ordered to hold itself in readiness.
F. M. STAFFORD,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
HDQRS. ON THE RIGHT, near Vicksburg, May 27, 1863.
Major R. W. MEMMINGER, Assistant Adjutant-General.
MAJOR: Your letter of this morning, communicating the order of the lieutenant-general, directing that I dig the trenches along my front, as General Bowen writes that his command is obliged to do the work, I have just received. I am satisfied that the lieutenant-general cannot understand the true state of the case, and therefore, respectfully submit the facts: General Pemberton, in person, pointed out to the commanders the lines which their respective DIVISION were to occupy. To mine he assigned from the redoubt, on Warenton road, to the railroad, a distance of over 2 miles, leaving the river front open, because, as he said to me, he through the heavy batteries would protect it. I subsequently asked that he would place some troops there, and he ordered Waul's Legion for that service. About the same time the enemy massed on General Lee, Which made it necessary to send Colonel waul to his assistance; this fact was promptly made known to the river front, I required of my DIVISION, in addition to its labor on their front, to work on the line toward the city, and they have, by working night and day, completed about 1 mile. On yesterday, the commanding general sent one brigade of General Bowen's DIVISION to that front; they occupy part of the trenches already made, and will extend toward the city. I suggested to the colonel commanding, on yesterday, to make such trenches in his front as he through necessary to project it. I have required the troops to dig the trenches they are to occupy. I do not say my men have done more that their share of work, because it is now the duty of every man to do all that he can to further our cause here; but I respectfully ask the general if it would be just to require my DIVISION, under the circumstances, to dig the trenches, when the troops to occupy them are there in position. I was not assigned to the command of the river front, but seeing that there was no one in charge of it, and no command to occupy it, I assumed to do my best for its protection. If the lieutenant-general desires me to take charge of it, I ask that he will give me definite instructions as to the extent of such command.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. L. STEVENSON .
HDQRS. DEPT. MISS. AND E. La., Vicksburg, May 27, 1863.
Major General C. L. STEVENSON, Commanding, &c.:
GENERAL: In reply to your communication of this day's date, I am directed by the lieutenant-general commanding to say that your line will extend on the right to the river defenses, protecting the left flank of the city. General Bowen's command being a reserve corps, and liable to be removed to any point, cannot be expected to dig the trenches at every point to which it may be ordered. Colonel Cockrell's brigade has just been ordered from the right, and may again be returned at any moment. It is not expected of your command that they should do more work than any other. They have already done much work, probably more than any other command, but, at the same time, the command is a large [one], and much is required of them.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. W. MEMMIMGER,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
GENERAL ORDERS, } HDQRS. FIFTH MILITARY DISTRICT,No.32 } DEPT. MISSISSIPPI AND E. LOUISIANA,
Panola, May 30, 1863.
I. The troops of this command will be reorganized as follows:
First Brigade. Col. ROBERT MCCULLOCH.
1st Mississippi Partisans.
2d Missouri Cavalry.
Waul's Texas Legion Cavalry Battalion.
[W. R.] Mitchell's Mississippi Partisans.
Second Brigade. Col. W. P. SLEMONS.
2d Arkansas Cavalry.
1st [7th] Tennessee Cavalry.
Faulkner's (Kentucky) battalion.
[J. W.] Smith's Mississippi Partisans.
Third Brigade. Brig. Gen. J. Z. GEORGE.
2d Mississippi Partisans.
Mississippi Battalion Partisan Rangers (Dunn's).
Mississippi Battalion Partisan Rangers (McGuirk's).
II. The Second Brigade will encamp south of the river, opposite to Belmont; the First Brigade at the railroad bridge over Tallahatchee, and the Third Brigade 1 1/2 miles west of this place.
III. Each brigade will guard the crossings in its front, and will extend its pickets so as to form a complete line, guarding every crossing along the whole front.
By order of Brigadier-General Chalmers:
W. A. GOODMAN,
Assistant Adjutant- General
WAR DEPARTMENT
Richmond Va.July 16, 1863.
General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON, Jackson, Miss.:
The following officers, having been duly exchanged, are released from parole, and at liberty to return to service:
Lieut. Gen. J. C. Pemberton; Major-Generals Stevenson, Forney, M.L. Smith, and Bowen; Brigadier-Generals Barton, Lee, Cumming, Moore,
H'ebert, Baldwin, Vaughn, and Shoup; Colonels Reynolds, Waul, andCockrell, commanding brigades; also Brigadier-General Harris, Missis-sippi militia.
J. A. SEDDON,
Secretary of War.
HDQRS. PAROLED PRISONERS, Brandon, July 17, 1863.
Colonel T. N. WAUL:
COLONEL: The lieutenant-general commanding directs me to say that he will send so many of your officers as you may deem necessary to the State of Texas, collecting the men of your legion and properly organizing them, and when those men shall have been collected, they will return and report with them at Demopolis, Ala., or such other point as may be hereafter designated. You are authorized to grant them, for this purpose a leave of absence for forty days.
By order of Lieutenant-General Pemberton:
J. THOMPSON,
Assistant Inspector-General.
HDQRS. FIFTH MIL. DIST., DEPT. MISS. AND E. La.,
Grenada, July 22, 1863.
Colonel B. S. EWELL,
Asst. Adjt. General, DEPT. of the West, Brandon, MISS.:
COLONEL: I desire most respectfully to present for the consideration of the general commanding some views for the future action of a part of this command, which have been submitted to me by the two senior colonels of the command, and which, in part, at least, meet with my approval.
The recent movements of our armies in Virginia, Tennessee, and this State have greatly circumscribed the district of country from which we can hope to obtain supplies, and this difficulty is greatly increased by the emigration of large numbers of our citizens with their families and slaves from this and other States to localities where they will be protected by our arms. The enemy are still pressing us at every point into still narrower bounds, and it is thought that the best and speediest means of relieving this quarter, at least from that danger, will be to create an army on the WEST side of the Mississippi River of sufficient size to alarm the enemy for the safety of their communications by the river.
Again, the regiments in my command which were enlisted WEST of the Mississippi are greatly dimished in numbers, and there is but little hope that they will be able to recruit here. The people in this State, like those of Kentucky after the evacuation of Bowling Green, and those of Tennessee after the battle of Shiloh, are now much depressed, and it will be some time before much assistance can be received from them, particularly in filling up regiments from other States. On the other hand, the people of those districts of which the enemy have had possession for some time, are, I am informed now willing to enlist. WEST Tennessee is beginning to rally, and Colonels McCulloch and Slemons are informed that Missouri and Arkansas are full of men who would join their regiments if they were among them. The number of them will be increased by the extension of the age of those liable to conscription -five, and by the fact that a considerable number of men from General Pemberton's army have been allowed to cross the river. If an attempt is made to force them to return at once to this side of the river, they might seek to avoid it, but it is believed that they would readily reassemble for duty on the other side. These men, united with other experienced officers and soldiers of that department, and the new recruits who could be collected, would, it is thought, form a force so considerable as to make it prudent for the enemy to send a portion of his force from this side of the river to hold them in check, and consequently to relieve our army here to that extent.
In view of these circumstances, it is proposed that the SECOND Missouri, SECOND Arkansas, and First Tennessee Regiments of Cavalry and Willis' battalion Texas Cavalry, having an effective strength of about 800 men, shall be allowed to cross the Mississippi, with orders to arrest all deserters and stragglers from other commands, and authority to recruit own ranks by conscription or otherwise, and that, when a sufficient number of men has been obtained, they should be authorized to make a raid into Missouri and Illinois, and return through Kentucky and Tennessee, unless it should be thought best that they should return directly across the Mississippi. This would leave Colonel W. C. Falkner's regiment and Major [A. H.] Chalmers' battalion Partisan Rangers, with all the State troops, to operate in this military district. They, with the command of Colonel [R. V.] Richardson and others in WEST Tennessee, will be sufficient to repel all small parties of the enemy and to give notice of the advance of any considerable force, which is all that I am able to do with my present command.
These views, so far as they relate to the beneficial results to be derived form increasing our army in the Trans-Mississippi Department, and to the probability that the Missouri and Arkansas regiments would be able to enlist many recruits if allowed to go to the other side of the river, have my approval, and are recommended to the favorable consideration of the general commanding. If he should approve of them, I would respectfully ask that he will allow me to take command of the troops who cross the river, and also that the detached companies from the Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas regiments, viz, Captain [P. M.] Savery's, SECOND Missouri; Captain [T. M.] Cochran's, SECOND Arkansas, and Captains [Benjamin F.] Weeks' and [J. W.] Stell's, of [L.] Willis' battalion, now under Major [H. W.] Bridges, may be ordered to rejoin their commands.
I inclose a copy of a letter, of which I forwarded the original on yesterday, * showing the dispositions I intended making of my forces, and my arrangements for getting out supplies form this part of the country. The latter can be continued for some time, even if a portion of the troops should be removed.
JAMES R. CHALMERS.
HDQRS. SECOND BRIGADE, STEVENSON'S DIVISION,
Demopolis, Ala., July 25, 1863.Maj. J. J. REEVE,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Stevenson's Division.SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken in our operations during the siege of Vicksburg by the troops under my command, consisting of the Twentieth Alabama Regiment, Col. L W. Garrott; Twenty-third Alabama, Col. F. K. Beck; Thirtieth Alabama, Col. C. M. Shelley; Thirty-first Alabama Regiment, Lieut. Col. T. M. Arrington; Forty-sixth Alabama Regiment, Capt. George E. Brewer; Waul's Texas Legion, Col. T. N. Waul; Waddell's battery, Capt. J. F. Waddell; Drew's battery, Lieut. W. J. Duncan; the Hudson Battery, Lieutenant [Milton H.] Trantham; Captain Haynes' company (E), First Louisiana Artillery, and a section of the Vaiden Artillery, Lieutenant [Elbert M.] Collins:
On the morning of May 17, our works at Big Black Bridge having been carried by the enemy, our army was ordered to retire to our intrenchments around Vicksburg. My brigade was ordered to cover the retreat across the river after the works were carried, and was accordingly posted along the banks for that purpose, where it remained until relieved by Baldwin's brigade, Smith's division, which brought up the rear.
By an error in the transmission of an order, the Twenty-third Alabama Regiment, Col. F. K. Beck, remained at the bridge after Baldwin's brigade had been withdrawn, and gallantly engaged the enemy during the entire day, leaving the position about midnight and joining the brigade at Vicksburg.
The city of Vicksburg was invested on May 18, the enemy having regularly surrounded it and commenced their parallel approaches. The position occupied by my brigade was immediately to the right of the railroad, with its left resting on that road. All the knolls in front of my line were at once seized by the enemy and batteries erected thereon for their artillery, their sharpshooters in the mean time keeping up a continuous and annoying fire.
On May 19, 20, and 21, the enemy's forces were massed, under cover of their artillery and sharpshooters' fire, in the ravine a few hundred yards in front of our lines.
At about 10 a.m. on the 22d, a gallant assault was made upon our works from the right of my position to the extreme left of our line on the river. The assault upon my front was a determined one, but was handsomely repulsed, with a considerable loss to the enemy. They succeeded, however, in carrying an angle of the work immediately to the right of the railroad, and in planting two colors upon the parapet, which remained there for several hours. The angle was finally assaulted and carried by a gallant band of Waul's Texas Legion, under the command of the intrepid Lieut. Col. E. W. Pettus, Twentieth Alabama Regiment. This brave officer, assisted by Major [O.] Steele and Captain [L. D.] Bradley, of the Legion, and the heroic Texans, captured the colors of the enemy and about 50 prisoners, including a lieutenant-colonel. A more daring feat has not been performed during the war, and too much praise cannot be awarded to every one engaged in it.
All the troops under my command behaved well during the assault, and inflicted severe loss upon the enemy. Waul's Texas Legion particularly distinguished itself, under its brave colonel, by its coolness and gallantry, as did also a portion of Colonel [T. P.] Dockery's Arkansas regiment. The Twentieth, Twenty-third, and Thirty-first Alabama Regiments attracted my attention by their good conduct during the day. The above-mentioned commands are those which particularly came under my personal observation during the assault.
From May 22, the enemy seemed to have abandoned the idea of carrying our works by assault, and from that time commenced pushing their works gradually, but industriously, toward ours, up to July 4, when the city was surrendered, at which time their trenches at several points on my line were within 30 feet of our works. As each of their ditches was completed, it was filled with sharpshooters, who kept up a continuous fire upon our lines. The enemy had also from fifteen to thirty pieces of artillery in front of my line, which kept up a heavy fire during both night and day. The fire from their small-arms commenced generally about half an hour before daylight, and continued until about dark in the evening. There was no relief whatever to our men, who were confined for forty-seven days in their narrow trenches without any opportunity of moving about, as there was during the day a perfect rain of Minie balls, which prevented any one from showing the least portion of his body, while at night, in consequence of the proximity of the enemy, it was impossible for the men to leave their positions for any length of time. After about the tenth day of the siege the men lived on about one-half rations, and on even less than that toward its close.
During the whole time the troops under my command exhibited cheerfulness and good spirit, feeling confident that they would finally be released. Physically they were much weakened by their arduous duties and poor rations, and at the time of the surrender I did not consider more than one-half of my men able to undergo the fatigues of the field.
The officers who particularly attracted my attention were: Colonel [Isham W.] Garrott, Twentieth Alabama, the pure patriot and gallant soldier, who was killed on June 17 while in the fearless discharge of his duties. Respected and loved by all who knew him, a more attentive and vigilant officer was not in our service. Col. T. N. Waul, commanding Texas Legion, by his dashing gallantry and coolness, inspired every one around him with confidence, and handled his Legion with skill. Colonels Beck and Shelley were particularly brave and vigilant. Colonel [E. W.] Pettus, Twentieth Alabama, won the admiration of every one by his daring on May 22, and by his uniform good conduct during the remainder of the siege. Lieutenant-Colonels [J. B.] Smith, Thirtieth Alabama; Arrington, Thirty-first Alabama; [B.] Timmons and ------, of Waul's Legion; Major [George W.] Mathieson, Thirty-first Alabama; Captains [John C.] Francis, Thirtieth Alabama, and Brewer, Forty-sixth Alabama, and Captains Waddell and [L. B.] Haynes, and Lieutenants Duncan and Collins, commanding batteries and sections of artillery, were gallant and vigilant.
Maj. John J. Reeve, assistant adjutant-general of the division, was with me on the lines upon several occasions, and particularly attracted my attention by his daring and coolness during the assault on the 22d.
Captain [J. J.] Conway, the engineer in charge of the works on my line, was active and energetic in the discharge of his duties, and was unceasing in his efforts during night and day to check the approach of the enemy.
Of my personal staff I would mention the uniform cool and gallant conduct of Capt. William Elliott, assistant adjutant-general, who was always at the post of danger, inspiring confidence by his example. Capt. W. H. Johnson and Lieut. H. N. Martin, acting aides-de-camp, and Capt. J. R. Curell and Lieutenant [S. M.] Underhill, volunteer aides, behaved with gallantry during the siege.
I would also mention Mr. West, who was serving on my staff; my orderly (L. B. Murphy, Forty-sixth Alabama Regiment), and my couriers (Hill and J. M. Simpson), who were always gallant and at their posts.
A correct list of the casualties in the different regiments and companies cannot yet be furnished, as the reports have not been received from their commands.Very respectfully,
STEPHEN D. LEE,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.ADDENDA.
VICKSBURG, July 3, 1863.
I do not think it is time to surrender this garrison and post yet. Nor do I think it practicable to cut our way out. When it is time to surrender, the terms proposed by Grant are as good as we can expect.
I still have hopes of Johnston relieving the garrison.STEPHEN D. LEE,
Brigadier-General
HEADQUARTERS STEVENSON'S DIVISION,
Demopolis,Ala.,July 29,1863.Maj. R. W. MEMMINGER,
Assistant Adjutant-General.MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my division from its advance from Vicksburg to the capitulation of the city. It has been delayed to this time by the constant occupation of myself and my subordinate commanders during the siege of Vicksburg and by the march which followed its capitulation.
* * * * * * * * * *
At about 10 a.m. [May 17], I received orders to take command of the army, and conduct its retreat to the fortifications around Vicksburg. The brigade of Brigadier-General Baldwin, of Smith's division, was assigned to the duty of bringing up the rear. Just before getting into the works, I was joined by the brigade of Colonel Reynolds, to whom, as I before stated, had been intrusted the charge of the trains of the whole army. He had crossed the Big Black after much difficulty and delay, occasioned by the absence of any facilities for so doing, at Bridgeport.
By a mistake in the transmission of the order, the regiment of Colonel Beck (Lee's brigade) remained at the river, resisted the attempts of the enemy to cross until 11 o'clock that night, and only withdrew upon the receipt of a peremptory order.
The retreat was conducted in a leisurely and orderly manner, and the troops entered the line of fortifications at about 3 p.m.* * * * * * * * * *
On the morning of May 18, the positions to be held by each of the different divisions were assigned by the lieutenant-general himself. The portion of the line of defense which was assigned to my division included the river front and the works south of the city from the river to the railroad, a line of about 5 miles in length. Barton occupied the river front and the fortifications on the right; Reynolds, those on the right center to the Hall's Ferry road; Cumming, the left center, and Lee, re-enforced by Waul's Texas Legion, the extreme left. Several sections and companies of artillery not properly belonging to my division were posted on my line. Captain [J. W.] Johnston, Botetourt Artillery Company, was assigned to duty as inspector-general of light artillery on my staff, and the artillery on the right of the Hall's Ferry road placed under the command of Capt. J. B. Grayson, First Louisiana Heavy Artillery, and that on the left under that of Capt. J. F. Waddell, of my division.
On the evening of the 18th, the enemy made his appearance in front of our lines, and immediately began to push forward his sharpshooters. The number of guns, superiority of range and metal, and exhaustless supply of ammunition, enabled them in a very short time to plant many batteries in such commanding positions as to damage our works materially, and inflict a very considerable loss among the men.
On the morning of May 22, many indications showed that they contemplated an assault upon the line of General [S. D.] Lee. A tremendous artillery fire was opened and kept up for about two hours, while the fire of their large force of sharpshooters was heavy and incessant.
At about 1 p.m. a heavy force moved out to the assault, making a gallant charge. They were allowed to approach unmolested to within good musket range, when every available gun was opened upon them with grape and canister, and the men, rising in the trenches, poured into their ranks volley after volley with so deadly an effect that, leaving the ground literally covered in some places with their dead and wounded, they precipitately retreated. An angle of one of our redoubts hail been breached by their artillery before the assault and rendered untenable. Toward this point, at the time of the repulse of the main body, a party of about 60 of the enemy, under the command of a lieu-tenant-colonel, made a rush, and succeeded in effecting a lodgment in the ditch at the foot of the redoubt and planting two flags on the edge of the parapet. The work was constructed in such a manner that this ditch was commanded by no part of the line, and the only means by which they could be dislodged was to retake the angle by a desperate charge, and either kill or compel the surrender of the whole party by the use of hand-grenades. A call for volunteers for this purpose was made and promptly responded to by Lieut. Col. E. W. Pettus, Twentieth Alabama Regiment, and about 40 men of Waul's Texas Legion. A more gallant feat than this charge has not illustrated our arms during the war.
The preparations were quietly and quickly made, but the enemy seemed at once to divine our intention, and opened upon the angle a terrible fire of shot, shell, and musketry. Undaunted, this little band, its chivalrous commander at its head, rushed upon the work, and in less time than it requires to describe it, it and the flags were in our possession.
Preparations were then quickly made for the use of hand-grenades, when the enemy in the ditch, being informed of our purpose, immediately surrendered.
From this time forward, although on several occasions their demonstrations seemed to indicate other intentions, the enemy relinquished all idea of assaulting us, and confined himself to the more cautious policy of a system of gradual approaches and mining.
The weakness of our garrison prevented anything like a system of sallies, but from time to time, as opportunities offered, and the enemy effected lodgments too close to our works, they were made with spirit and success. Among them, I may particularize a night sally made under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel [C. S.] Guyton, of the Fifty-seventh Georgia Regiment, with a portion of that regiment and of the Forty-third Tennessee, the former of Cumming's, the latter of Reynolds' brigade. The enemy had intrenched themselves at three different points on and to the left of the Hall's Ferry road. The command sallied out, charged their works with admirable gallantry, and took them, with considerable loss to the enemy, who were in greatly superior force.
On the lines occupied by General Barton and Colonel Reynolds, the configuration of the ground favoring it, the enemy were prevented from making any close lodgments by a judicious system of picketing and a series of attacks; and although they sometimes succeeded by force of numbers in gaining favorable positions, they were invariably dispossessed by the daring sallies of the garrison. A reconnaissance made of the Warrenton road, under Colonel Curtiss, Forty-first Georgia, re-suited in the capture of 107 of the enemy's pickets. The reconnaissance was conducted in a manner which reflects credit on that able officer.
I cannot find words sufficiently strong to express the pride and gratification afforded me by the dauntless spirit with which officers and men encountered all the dangers, and by the unmurmuring endurance with which they bore up for forty-seven sleepless nights and days, under all the hardships incident to their position. Confined, without a moment's relief from the very day of their entrance into the fortifications to that of the capitulation of the city, to the narrow trenches; exposed without shelter to the broiling sun and drenching rain; subsisting on rations barely sufficient for the support of life; engaged from the earliest dawn till dark, and often during the night, in one ceaseless conflict with the enemy, they neither faltered nor complained, but, ever looking forward with confidence to relief, bore up bravely under every privation--saw their ranks decimated by disease and the missiles of the enemy--with the fortitude that adorns the soldier and the spirit that becomes the patriot who battles in a holy cause.
It was thus that the true soldier and gifted patriot, Colonel [Isham W.] Garrott, of the Twentieth Alabama, died, as did the brave Captain [F. O.] Claiborne, of the artillery, and many others whose names I cannot mention without extending this report to too great a length. The regiment of Colonel Garrott was fortunate in having for his successor Lieutenant-Colonel [E. W.] Pettus, an officer who deserves and is competent to fill a higher position.
On July 1, I received the accompanying confidential communication, marked A, from the lieutenant-general commanding. I immediately addressed a circular to my brigade commanders requiring their opinions on the points suggested in the note of the commanding general. Having received their opinions in writing (copies of which are appended, marked B, C, D, E), I submitted the following reply to the lieutenant-general:HEADQUARTERS STEVENSON'S DIVISION,
Vicksburg, July 2, 1863.GENERAL: Your confidential note of yesterday, requesting me to inform you as to the condition of my troops and their ability to make the marches and undergo the fatigues necessary to accomplish a successful evacuation of this city, was duly received, and I have the honor to state, in reply thereto, that my men are very cheerful, but from long confinement in the trenches and short rations are necessarily much enfeebled, and a considerable number would be unable to make the march and undergo the fatigues which would probably be necessary in a successful evacuation of this city. If pressed by the enemy, and it should be necessary to place the Big Black in our rear in one march, the chances are that a considerable number of those now in the trenches could not succeed. I believe, however, that most of them, rather than be captured, would exert themselves to the utmost to accomplish it.
I respectfully transmit herewith the opinions of my brigade commanders on these points.I am, general, respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. L. STEVENSON,
Major-General.A council was then called on the 3d instant by the lieutenant-general, in which he stated that, from information received from General Johnston, all hope of raising the siege of Vicksburg must be abandoned, and that it was only possible to save the garrison. The opinions of those present were then asked as to the best manner of accomplishing it, and it was their unanimous opinion that, rather than surrender, the garrison would attempt to cut its way out under all circumstances, but that if an honorable capitulation could be effected it would be the best and wisest course, considering the condition of the men, as stated at that time by their commanders, and it was suggested that a communication should be addressed to Major-General Grant, commanding United States forces, asking him to appoint commissioners to meet a like number of ours to agree upon terms. It was consented to by the lieutenant-general reluctantly, I think, and a communication was addressed to General Grant, which resulted in the capitulation. The correspondence between the two commanders has already been made public. A strong argument with me in favor of the capitulation was that we would march the army out intact; that they would be exchanged in a very short time, and again be armed and equipped for service.
In conclusion, I desire to return my thanks to the officers and men of my command.
I have to thank my brigade commanders, Brigadier-Generals Barton, Cumming, Lee, and Colonel Reynolds, as also Colonel [T. N.] Waul, of the Texas Legion, to whose efficient co-operation I am greatly indebted for the successful defense of my line at Vicksburg, for the untiring energy which they displayed in the management of their brigades, and for examples of devotion, intrepidity, and coolness under every danger, by which they inspired their men.
Organization of the troops in the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana,
General Joseph E. Johnston, C. S. Army, commanding,
August 20, 1863.
LORING'S DIVISION.
Major General WILLIAM W. LORING.
Buford's Brigade.
Brigadier General ABRAHAM BUFORD.
27th Alabama, Colonel James Jackson.
35th Alabama, Colonel Edward Goodwin.
54th Alabama, Colonel Alpheus Baker.
55th Alabama, Colonel John Snodgrass.
9th Arkansas, Colonel Isaac L. Dunlop.
3rd Kentucky, Colonel A. P. Thompson.
7th Kentucky, Colonel Edward Crossland.
8th Kentucky, Colonel H. B. Lyon.
12th Louisiana, Colonel Thomas M. Scott.
3rd Missouri Cavalry,* Lieutenant Colonel D. Todd Samuels.
Pointe Coupee (Louisiana) Artillery, Captain Alcide Bouanchaud.
Featherston's Brigade.
Brigadier General WINFIELD S. FEATHERSTON.
3rd Mississippi, Major S. M. Dyer.
22nd Mississippi, Lieutenant Colonel H. J. Reid.
31st Mississippi, Lieutenant Colonel M. D. L. Stephens.
22nd Mississippi, Colonel D. W. Hurst.
1st Mississippi Battalion Sharpshooters, Major James M. Stigler.
Alabama Battery, Captain Stephen Charpentier.
McLendon's (Mississippi) Battery, Captain Jacob Culbertson.
Adams' Brigade.
Brigadier General JOHN ADAMS.
1st Confederate Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel George H. Forney.
6th Mississippi, Colonel Robert Lowry.
14th Mississippi, Lieutenant Colonel W. L. Doss.
15th Mississippi, Colonel M. Farrell.
20th Mississippi, Lieutenant Colonel William N. Brown.
23rd Mississippi, Major G. W. B. Garrett.
26th Mississippi, Colonel A. E. Reynolds.
Tennessee Battery, Captain Robert L. Barry.
BRECKINRIDGE'S DIVISION.
Major General JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE.
Adams' Brigade.
Brigadier General DANIEL W. ADAMS.
32nd Alabama, Major J. E. Austin.
13th Louisiana
20th Louisiana Captain E. M. Dubroca.
16th Louisiana
25th Louisiana Colonel Daniel Gober
19th Louisiana, Major Loudon Butler.
14th Louisiana Battalion Sharpshooters, Major J. E. Austin.
Louisiana Battery, Captain C. H. Slocomb.
Helm's Brigade.
Brigadier General BENJAMIN H. HELM.
41st Alabama, Colonel Martin L. Stansel.
2nd Kentucky, Lieutenant Colonel James W. Hewitt.
4th Kentucky, Lieutenant Colonel John A. Adair.
6th Kentucky, Lieutenant Colonel Martin H. Cofer.
9th Kentucky, Lieutenant Colonel John W. Caldwell.
Kentucky Battery, Captain Robert Cobb.
*Dismounted.
Stovall's Brigade.Brigadier General MARCELLUS A. STOVALL.
1st Florida
3rd Florida Colonel W. S. Dilworth.
4th Florida, Colonel W. L. L. Bowen.
47th Georgia, Major James G. Cone.
60th North Carolina, Lieutenant Colonel James M. Ray.
Tennessee Battery, Captain John W. Mebane.
WALKER'S DIVISION.
Major General WILLIAM H. T. WALKER.
Ector's Brigade.
Brigadier General M. D. ECTOR.
Alabama Sharpshooters, Major T. O. Stone.
Mississippi Sharpshooters, Captain M. Pound.
29th North Carolina, Lieutenant Colonel W. B. Creasman.
9th Texas, Lieutenant Colonel Miles A. Dillard.
10th Texas Cavalry,* Lieutenant Colonel C. R. Earp.
14th Texas Cavalry,*Colonel J. L. Camp.
32nd Texas Cavalry,*Colonel Julius A. Andrews.
Arkansas Battery, Lieut F. A. Moore.
Gist's Brigade.
Brigadier General STATES R. GIST.
46th Georgia, Colonel Peyton H. Colquitt.
8th Georgia Battalion, Captain Z. L. Watters.
16th South Carolina, Colonel James McCullough.
24th South Carolina, Colonel Clement H. Stevens
South Carolina Battery, Captain T. B. Ferguson.
Gregg's Brigade.
Brigadier General JOHN GREGG.
3rd Tennessee (volunteers), Colonel Calvin H. Walker.
10th Tennessee, Lieutenant Colonel W. Grace.
30th Tennessee, Colonel James J. Turner.
41st Tennessee, Colonel R. Farquharson.
50th Tennessee, Colonel Cyrus A. Sugg.
1st Tennessee Battalion, Major Stephen H. Colms.
7th Texas, Colonel H. B. Granbury.
Missouri Battery, Captain H. M. Bledsoe.
Wilson's Brigade.
Brigadier General CLAUDIUS C. WILSON.
25th Georgia, Lieutenant Colonel A. J. Williams.
29th Georgia, Colonel W. J. Young.
30th Georgia, Colonel Thomas W. Mangham.
1st Georgia Battalion Sharpshooters, Major Arthur Shaaff.
4th Louisiana Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel John McEnery.
Martin's (Georgia) Battery, Lieutenant Evan P. Howell.
FRENCH'S DIVISION.
Major General SAMUEL G. FRENCH.
Maxey's Brigade.
Brigadier General SAMUEL B. MAXEY.
4th Louisiana, Colonel S. E. Hunter.
30th Louisiana, Lieutenant Colonel T. Shields.
42nd Tennessee, Colonel Isaac N. Hulme.
46th Tennessee
55th Tennessee Colonel G. B. Black
48th Tennessee, Colonel W. M. Voorhies.
49th Tennessee, Colonel W. A. Shaw.
53rd Tennessee, Lieutenant Colonel J. R. White.
1st Texas Battalion Sharpshooters, Major James Burnet.
Louisiana Battery, Captain C. E. Fenner.
McNair's Brigade.
Brigadier General EVANDER McNAIR.
1st Arkansas Mounted Rifles,* Colonel Robert W. Harper.
2nd Arkansas Mounted Rifles,* Colonel James A. Williamson.
4th Arkansas, Colonel Henry G. Bunn.
25th Arkansas
35th Arkansas Colonel C. J. Turnbull.
39th North Carolina, Colonel David Coleman.
South Carolina Battery, Captain J. F. Culpeper.
---------------
*Dismounted.
---------------
CAVALRY.
Major General STEPHEN D. LEE.
JACKSON'S DIVISION.
Brigadier General WILLIAM H. JACKSON.
Jackson's Brigade.
1st Mississippi, Colonel R. A. Pinson.
4th Mississippi, Major J. L. Harris.
28th Mississippi, Colonel P. B. Starke.
-Mississippi, Colonel Wirt Adams.
Mississippi Battalion, Major A. C. Steede.
Cosby's Brigade.
Brigadier General GEORGE B. COSBY.
1st Texas Legion, Lieutenant Colonel John H. Broocks.
3rd Texas, Colonel J. S. Boggess.
9th Texas, Colonel D. W. Jones.
Escort Company, Captain J. Y. Webb.
Missouri Battery, Captain Houston King.
Whifield's Brigade.
Brigadier General J. W. WHITFIELD.
Arkansas Cavalry Battalion, Major H. W. Bridges.
6th Texas, Major Jack Wharton.
Ross' Detachment (Texas) Cavalry, Colonel L. S. Ross.
Provost Guard.
4th Mississippi Cavalry, Company D, Captain James Ruffing.
Escort.
7th Tennessee Cavalry, Company A, Captain W. F. Taylor.
RESERVE ARTILLERY.
Major W. C. PRESTON.
Georgia Battery, Captain Edward Croft.
Louisiana Battery, Captain Edward Durrive, jr.
Macbeth (South Carolina) Artillery,* Lieutenant B. A. Jeter.
South Carolina Battery, Captain John Waties
CHALMERS' COMMAND.
Brigadier General JAMES R. CHALMERS.
2nd Arkansas.
2nd Mississippi (State troops).
3rd Mississippi (State troops).
1st Mississippi (partisan rangers).
18th Mississippi Cavalry Battalion.
2nd Missouri.
7th Tennessee.
[Willis' Battalion,] Waul's (Texas) Legion.
LOGAN'S COMMAND.
Colonel JOHN L. LOGAN.
11th Arkansas.
17th Arkansas.
Cage's (Louisiana) Battalion.
Hughes' (Mississippi) Battalion.
Garland's (Mississippi) Battalion.
Rhodes' (Mississippi) Company.
Stockdale's (Mississippi) Battalion.
9th Tennessee Cavalry Battalion.
RUGGLES' COMMAND.+
Brigadier General DANIEL RUGGLES.
---------------
*Formerly of Evans' brigade and attached to French's division.
+Composition not indicated in original return.
SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. CAVALRY IN MISSISSIPPI,
Numbers -. Canton, September 4, 1863.
I. The organization known as Bridge's cavalry battalion is hereby disbanded, and the following companies composing it will report to Brigadier-General Chalmers, commanding Chalmers' cavalry brigade, for assignment to duty with their respective commands, viz, Captain Savery's company, Second Missouri Cavalry; Captain Stell's company, Willis' battalion, Waul's (Texas) Legion; Captain Weeks' company, Willis' battalion, Waul's (Texas) Legion.
II. Major H. W. Bridges, after turning over his command, will report in person to these headquarters.
By command of Major General S. D. Lee:
G. W. HOLT,
Major and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General
CIRCULAR.] HDQRS. CHALMER'S CAVALRY BRIGADE,
Grenada, September 12, 1863.
The troops of this command will move at 7 a.m. to-morrow to Abbeville in the following order: First, Willis' battalion; second, Third Regiment Mississippi State Cavalry; third, Second Arkansas with rifled gun; fourth, Seventh Regiment Tennessee Cavalry; fifth, battalion under Lieutenant-Colonel Barksdale; sixth, First Regiment Mississippi Partisan. They will be provided with cooked rations-for one day, and will take seven days' rations of breadstuffs in their wagons. The commissaries will drive a sufficient number of beef-cattle to furnish rations for seven days.
They will encamp for the first night on Turkey Creek, and for the second night near Morrow's Gin, 7 miles south of Oxford. The proper officers will be sent in advance to procure forage, &c.
By order of Brigadier-General Chalmers:
W. A. GOODMAN,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
GENERAL ORDERS,
ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE, Numbers 123.
Richmond, September 16, 1863.
The following order is published for the information of all concerned:
Exchange Notice Numbers 6.
RICHMOND, September 12, 1863.
The following Confederate officers and men captured at Vicksburg, Miss., July 4, 1863, and subsequently paroled, have been duly exchanged, and are hereby so declared:
1. The officers and men of General C. L. Stevenson's division.
2. The officers and men of General Bowen's division.
4. The officers and men of the Second Texas Regiment.
5. The officers and men of Waul's Legion.
6. Also, all Confederate officers and men who have been delivered at City Point at any time previous to July 25, 1863, have been duly exchanged, and are hereby so declared.
RO. OULD,
Agent of Exchange.
By order:
S. COOPER,
Adjutant and Inspector-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS, ~ ADJT. AND INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE,
No. 225. Richmond, September 22, 1863.
VIII. Brig. Gen. T. N. Waul, Provisional Army of the Confederate States, will proceed without delay to Shreveport, La., and report to Lieut. Gen. E. Kirby Smith, commanding Trans.Mississippi Department, for assignment to duty.
By command of the Secretary of War:
JNO. WITHERS,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY IN NORTH Mississippi,
Oxford, October 22, 1863.
General S. COOPER,
Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va.:
GENERAL: After many disappointments and much labor I have succeeded in collecting and organizing the scattered and independent cavalry in North Mississippi into some military order, and have divided my command into three brigades, as follows:
Slemons' brigade, Col. W. F. Slemons commanding:
2d Arkansas Cavalry, Captain Cochran commanding, effective strength 120
7th Tennessee Cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel Duckworth commanding, effective strength 210
3d Mississippi State Cavalry, Col. John McGuirk commanding, effective strength 450
19th Battalion Cavalry, Col. J. Z. George commanding, effective strength 350
Duff's (Mississippi) Battalion Cavalry, Lieut. Col. W. L. Duff commanding, effective strength 200
Total 1,330
McCulloch's brigade, Col. Robert McCulloch commanding:
2d Missouri Cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel McCulloch commanding, effective strength 250
1st Mississippi Partisans, Lieutenant-Colonel Hovis commanding, effective strength 310
Cavalry Battalion, Waul's (Texas) Legion, Lieutenant-Colonel Willis commanding, effective strength 450
12th Mississippi Cavalry, Col. W. M. Inge commanding, effective strength 250
18th Mississippi Battalion Cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel Chalmers commanding, effective strength 225
Total 1,485
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY IN MISSISSIPPI, Okolona, November 17, 1863.
Brig. Gen. J. R. CHALMERS,
Comdg. Cavalry in North Mississippi, Oxford, Miss.:
GENERAL: I desire you to place your command in trim for an expedition to the railroad to take place about eight days from this time. My troops just arrived from North Alabama will remain here for the present. General Forrest is here; Richardson is ordered to report to him. He will accompany us. Willis' battalion starts to join you this morning. I want you to collect a number of claw-bars for taking out spikes on the railroad and have ample ammunition for your command. If possible, have a quantity of forage collected. I am going to remove my headquarters to Grenada, and hope to meet you in four or five days.
I am, general, yours, respectfully,
S. D. LEE,
Major-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT, Numbers 194.
Shreveport, La., November 18, 1863.
I. Brigadier General T. N. Waul, Provisional Army, Confederate States, having reported at these headquarters in obedience to instructions from the War Department, will at once proceed to collect the men of the Second Texas Regiment, the battalion of Louisiana Zouaves, and the several battalions and artillery companies of Waul's (Texas) Legion. He is authorized to fill the same by voluntary enlistment of persons not liable to conscription, and, through the enrolling officers of the different counties and parishes, by volunteers within the conscript age, whether enrolled or not. When taking them from men not enrolled, he will furnish the enrolling officer with duplicate descriptive lists of the same. Under instructions of the Secretary of War, he is authorized to organize this force as mounted infantry. All officers in the Department of the Trans-Mississippi having in their commands any officers or enlisted men of any of the above-named organizations, will send them to such points as may be designated by Brigadier-General Waul.
By command of Lieutenant General E. Kirby Smith:
S. S. ANDERSON,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF TEXAS, &c.,
Houston, T ex., November 30, 1863.
Brigadier General W. R. BOGGS,
Chief of Staff, Shreveport, La.:
GENERAL: Brigadier- General Waul has reported to- day with instructions, known to the lieutenant- general commanding, by which
he is authorized to mount Waul's Legion and the Second Texas Infantry. I have brigaded the Second Texas and Waul's Legion with Likens' regiment and the Third Texas Infantry, all, with the exception of Likens' regiment, splendidly drilled infantry- the best brigade under my command, which I have reserved for General Waul. If he attempts to mount the Second Texas and his legion, it will be a failure, as the horses are not to be had, the State troops and other calls having exhausted the country. To disband his legion and Second Texas and send them home, in the hopeless task of procuring horses, will disorganize this excellent brigade, whose services are indispensably necessary to the defense of the State, where they will soon be in front of the enemy.
I have just received information that Saluria is attacked with a large naval and, I fear, overwhelming, land force, and I fear I shall lose the place and the regiment which defends it. Troops are marching rapidly to the west to its relief, though it is difficult to defend it, being on an island, with a dangerous communication with the mainland, though it was necessary to hold and fortify it, as it was an important pass from the sea to all the interior navigation of the west, by which our trade with Brownsville was greatly facilitated and the coast for 100 miles rendered secure against any but a formidable expedition.
The troops in this district had been massed toward Sabine, in view of a march toward Cotile, near the Red River, in obedience to General Smith's instructions, and the process of substituting the State troops for Confederate on the coast was going on in accordance with subsequent instructions when this attack of the coast by the enemy was made. Should the enemy succeed in carrying this fort, he will have the whole of Matagorda Bay and a portion of the richest part of Texas exposed to him.
The troops when they arrive at their places of destination will be established as follows:
Debray's brigade, at Lavaca or Indianola, 2,000; Buchel's brigade, at Wharton, about 1,500; Luckett's brigade, near Columbia, 1,500; about 700 State troops at Texana.
General Bee is in the west with Duff's regiment, sex companies of State troops, and two or three detached companies about San Antonio. About 300 State troops are at Liberty, to re- enforce Sabine by land or Galveston by water. These are all the movable forces, and some of them will not be in position for a week or ten days.
At the mouth of the Brazos, a strong place, I have about 1,000 men, and at Niblett's Bluff 250.
I hope, under these circumstances, that the lieutenant- general commanding will not permit Waul's Legion and Second Texas Infantry, numbering 600 veteran infantry, even if it could be done, their services would be lost for several months.
General Waul states that he would like to serve under me in Texas, and he could not have a better brigade anywhere than the one to which I have assigned him.
Though my presence can scarcely be spared at this moment, I go to Saluria this morning, at least to ascertain the state of things and make the best arrangements I can in any event.
The above is a fair estimate of the troops for service, exclusive of those retained in the Northern Sub- District by General McCulloch, and excluding permanently detailed men not fit for service in the field and not with their regiments. A large portion of these troops are very badly armed.
When I arrived here, there was but a handful of troops in the State, and only three batteries of artillery. I have now twelve batteries all told, in fair order, including the battery which is with Gano's brigade, and have furnished Gano's in the Indian Territory, and Major's in Louisiana.
A failure on the part of the Legislature to keep the State troops in for the war, or at least to extend their time and to preserve their organization precisely as it exists, would be fatal, and I earnestly request the lieutenant- general commanding to assist me, by letters to the Governor and the Legislature, in my efforts to preserve things as they are.
I have the honor,&c.,
J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER,
Major- General, Commanding.
SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT,
No. 208. Shreveport, La., December 3, 1863.
* * * * * * *
..... So much of Paragraph 1, Special Orders, No. 194, current series,from department headquarters, as directs Brig. Gen. T. N. Waul to re-mount his command and report to Lieutenant-General Holmes, com-manding District of Arkansas, is hereby revoked. Brigadier-GeneralWaul will report to Major-General Magruder, commanding District of Texas, for assignment to duty.
By command of Lieut. Gen. E. Kirby Smith:
S. S. ANDERSON,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, Va., December 26, 1863.
Lieutenant Gen. L. POLK,
Commanding,&c., Brandon, Miss.:
GENERAL: I have the honor to inclose for your information an extract a letter addressed by General T. N. Waul to the President, and by him referred to this Department. Your attention is especially invited to the statements as to the passage of the Mississippi River, and the suggestion respecting the command of that river by the employment of light artillery.
Very respectfully,
JAMES A. SEDDON,
Secretary of War.
Troops in the District of Texas. New Mexico, and Arizona, Major General J. B. Magruder, C. S. Army, commanding, December 31, 1863.+
Galveston.
20th Texas, Colonel H. M. Elmore.
1st Texas Heavy Artillery (nine companies), Colonel J. J. Cook.
Engineer Troops, Captain M. G. Howe.
Texas Battery, Captain P. Fox.
4th Texas State Cavalry (ten companies), Colonel J. B. Johnson.
Texas State Infantry (battalion), Major Thomas B. Stubbs.
Sabine Pass.
21st Texas (six companies), Lieutenant Colonel W. H. Griffin.
Texas Cavalry Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Daly.
4th Texas State Cavalry (two companies), Lieutenant Colonel C. W. Tait.
Brazos.
8th Texas, Colonel A. M. Hobby.
Artillery Battalion (four companies).
Camp on Caney.
32nd Texas Cavalry, Colonel P. C. Woods.
Fort Griffin.
21st Texas, Company F.
1st Texas Heavy Artillery, Company F.
Spaight's (Texas) battalion, Company B.
McNeel's Plantation.
Artillery Battalion (three companies),
Captain H. Willke.
Rio Grande.
33rd Texas Cavalry (nine companies), Colonel James Duff.
Gulf Prairie.
1st Texas Mounted Rifles, Colonel A. Buchel.
Texas Cavalry, Colonel A. W. Terrell.
Texas Cavalry Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel R. R. Brown.
Texas Battery, Captain Robert J. Hughes.
Texas Battery, Captain W. G. Moseley.
Velasco.2nd Texas, Lieutenant Colonel N. L. McGinnis.
3rd Texas, Major J. H. Kampmann.
23rd Texas Cavalry, Lieutenant Colonel J. A. Corley.
Bates' (Texas) regiment, Lieutenant Colonel H. P. Cayce.
Waul's (Texas) Legion, Lieutenant Colonel J. Wrigley.
Jones' (Texas) battery, Lieutenant C. H. Williams.
1st Texas State Cavalry, Colonel T. W. Jones.
Infantry Brigade, State troops (twenty companies), Colonel N. W. Townes.
Camp McNeel.
Debray's (Texas) cavalry, Lieutenant Colonel J. J. Myers.
Camp on Old Caney.
2nd Texas Cavalry, Colonel C. L. Pyron.
Fort Manhasset.
Texas Battery, Captain W. H. Nichols.
Texas Cavalry (two companies).
Northern Sub-District.
Bourland's (Texas) battalion.
San Antonio.
Post guard, Major A. G. Dickinson.
Material contained herein may be copied in whole or part
by non-profit , personal, genealogical and historical reference web sites
by citing
Benjamin L. Bowen's :
The Exploits of Waul's Texas Legion
at the following url :http://freepages.family.rootsweb.com/~bowen/legion/waulstexaslegion.html
The Bowen family web
The Rootsweb edition 2000-2003
~~~
